Hefty Charges For Stockpiling Walleye
An Ohio man must pay $4,400 for a range of fishing offences.
John W. Andrix Jr., of Galena, Ohio, was convicted under the Ontario Fishery Regulations and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. His fines include $2,400 for possessing 12 walleye over the legal daily possession limit of four, $1,000 for obstructing conservation officers and $1,000 for abandoning fish. Andrix’s fishing rod and tackle, as well as all of his fish, were seized and forfeited to the Crown. Andrix is prohibited from fishing in Ontario for one year.
Court heard that on July 9, 2009, conservation officers conducting a marine fisheries patrol on Superb Lake, 30 kilometres northwest of Nakina, contacted Andrix’s fishing party of six. Four anglers had conservation licences to fish. The party admitted to consuming seven walleye at their shore lunch that day and possessing four more walleye in their boat’s live well. Upon investigation, officers found a bag containing 18 walleye fillets floating downwind from the party’s boat. Andrix later claimed the walleye and admitted to throwing the fish overboard when he saw officers approaching.
Justice of the Peace Liette Hunter heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Geraldton, on October 27, 2009.
The Ministry of Natural Resources reminds the public that it is illegal to stockpile large quantities of fish. An individual may not have more fish than the possession limit of that species. Possession is considered to include storing fish at home, at other locations, in freezers, holding them in live wells or even having eaten them as part of a day’s meal.
For further information on fishing regulations, please consult the 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, available at ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres, from licence issuers and at ontario.ca/fishing.
To report a natural resource violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers
anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Anne Hinton, Nipigon District, 807-887-5021
Tom Gross, Geraldton Area Office, 807-854-1883
